Method of producing practically pure iron.



ebullition have the effect of bringing all tatlon of the metal bath ceases. By this in citizen of the United States, residing at Teiron in any other usual form or bon, manganese,

sire to limit myself in this particular, the sticks may be introduced into the bath ARCHIBALD SMITI-I, OF TARENTUM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE ALLEGHENY STEEL COMPANY. A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF PRODUCING PRACTIOALLY PURE IRON.

No Drawing.

To all whom'tt concern:

Be it known that I, AROHIBALD SMrrH,

rentum, in the county of Allegheny and Statev of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of Producing Practically Pure Iron, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a certain new and useful method of producing practically pure 1ron.

The invention has for its object an improved process for producing iron practically free of carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and oxygen.

In carrying out my im )roved process I charge a furnace, prefera 1y a basic open hearth furnace with pig iron, cast iron, or combination employed in charging an open n'ace and. in the ordinary way, and the carphosphorus, sulfur, silicon and oxygen are removed from the bath to the greatest possible extent by the applica' tion of heat, fluxes and reagents, according to the web known basic'open hearth process. During this treatmentsticks of wood are forced below the surface of the metal bath, whereupon a violent agitation and ebullijtion of the bath is produced. This agitation and portions of the metal into intimate contact 'with'the supernatant slag, thereby eliminating substantially all of the impurities.

,, In practice I prefer to use sticks ofspruoe, or other coniferous woods, but I do not deand in any suitable or preferred manner, such for'instanoe, as through the peep holes of the furnace doors. As the sticks are consumed they are replaced by others and the process continued until the pronolmced agi- Specification of Letters ratcnt. Application filed October 6, 1910. Serial No. 585,725.

hearth furmanganese,

troduction of wood into the bath the metal Patented Nov. 14, 1911.

bath is substantially deoxidized without increasing the carbon content.

The product resulting from my improved process will, because. of its high degree of purity, solidify without blow holes or spong top, and with little or no piping. It is ess susceptible'to corrosion than any other known iron; it is highly malleable and ductile; may be worked at a low heat; and by reason of the fineness of its surface it is particularly receptive of metal coatings of all kinds.

I desire to call attention to the fact that by the expression practically ure iron. as used in the specification and c aims I wish to be understood as referring to an iron that is practically free from the impurities which are usually contained in the iron of commerce.

I claim:

1. The process of producing practically pure iron, which consists in substantially eliminating from crude iron the contained silicon, manganese, carbon, phosphorus and sulfur, and introducing wood into the molten bath of iron, thereby agitating and deoxidizing the metal.

' 2. The process of producing practically pure iron,- which consists in treating crude iron in a basic open-hearth furnace and sub stantially eliminating the contained silicon, carbon, phosphorus and sulfur, and introducing wood into the molten bath of 15.611, thereby agitating the metal, thoroughly bringing it into contact with the supernatant slag, and effecting its deoxida' tion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence-of two subscribing wit nesses.

ARCHIBALD SMITH.

Witnesses:

HARRY E. SHELDON, A. H. MCNAMEE. 

